“You don't have a face” – so they say about a person who is either sick with something or very frightened. In both cases, a characteristic sign appears – pallor. The feeling of fear causes such a reaction due to the fact that the body is in a "fight or flight" situation.
The person turns pale when greatly frightened, due to the fact that the blood leaves the cheeks, as it has more urgent work to do. This process occurs reflexively, along with it there is a rapid heartbeat and the same breathing.
At rest, the human heart beats 70-80 times per minute, pumping blood that carries oxygen and nutrients to the cells. If you start doing strength exercises, the muscles begin to work much more intensively. To increase physical activity, the body needs more energy, in connection with this, muscle cells need to increase & nbsp; nutrition and the amount of oxygen, so a person needs to breathe more and more, and the heart – fight.
In the article estet-portal.com we will talk about why a person turns pale when he is frightened and what hormones are involved in this condition.
“Fight or Flight”: the Hormone of Anxiety and the Hormone of Aggression
When a feeling of fear arises, the body prepares for sudden muscular activity (fight, flight). This situation is called "fight or flight". The central nervous system, in turn, sends signals to the hypothalamus.
Hypothalamus functions:
- governs the autonomic nervous system and the endocrine system;
- maintains the constancy of the internal environment of the body;
- regulates the process of blood circulation, sweating, body temperature, is responsible for the emotional state, etc.
From the hypothalamus, impulses are sent to the brain cells of the adrenal cortex. Further, these glands secrete the hormone adrenaline, which is also called the "anxiety hormone", into the blood. The latter is provoked by a rapid heartbeat, expansion of the blood vessels of the brain, heart and lungs. In doing so, it promotes blood vessels in the skin, mucous tissues and abdominal organs.
You may be interested in: Stress hormones - cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine
Anxiety Hormone Action:
- there is a slowdown or complete cessation of digestion;
- blood is redistributed in favor of the upcoming fight;
- blood glucose level rises;
- energy processes are intensifying;
- the functional capacity of skeletal muscles increases;
- wakefulness level increases.
In addition to the hormone of anxiety and fear (adrenaline), the adrenal glands also secrete the hormone of aggression (norepinephrine). So, if adrenaline – it's “run”, then norepinephrine– it's “beat”. The hormone of anxiety and the hormone of aggression are closely related to each other, the behavior of a person in a stressful situation depends on their ratio.
If you want to balance your hormone levels and calm your nervous system, do some simple exercise. The combined work of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems always gives a positive result for health. To do this, you do not need to go to the gym and buy expensive equipment. Your attention and perseverance are needed. And we have created for you a set of the most effective exercises. Repeat after the coach!
Read more: How the behavior pattern affects life - active and proactive
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